TRANSPORT OF L-LEUCINE HYDROXY ANALOG AND L-LACTATE IN RABBIT SMALL-INTESTINAL BRUSH-BORDER MEMBRANE-VESICLES

Substitution of the alpha-amino group of amino acids by hydroxyl groups yields hydroxy analogues (HA), which have been ascribed beneficial effects in nitrogen-sparing diets for uremic patients. In this study, intestinal uptake of L-leucine HA (L-LeuHA) and L-lactate into rabbit jejunal brush-border membrane vesicles was investigated. An inward-directed H+ or Na+ gradient stimulated uptake of both labelled substrates in a voltage-clamped assay. The H+ gradient was the major driving force of uptake as compared with the Na+ gradient, and it led to a transient accumulation of both L-LeuHA and L-lactate. The proton ionophore carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) reduced the initial H+-gradient-driven uptake rates of both substrates, but was without effect on Na+-gradient-driven uptakes. The H+-gradient-driven L-LeuHA uptake was saturable (apparent K(t) = 15.4 mM). Alpha-HA of L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine, D-leucine, D-valine or L-lactate inhibited the H+-gradient-driven L-LeuHA or L-lactate uptakes whereas free branched-chain amino acids had no effect. Preloading the vesicles with one of the L- or D-HA of branched-chain amino acids or with L-lactate stimulated tracer L-LeuHA and also tracer L-lactate uptakes in the presence of a H+ gradient. It is concluded that H+-gradient-driven transport of L- and D-stereoisomeric HA of branched-chain amino acids as well as of L-lactate across rabbit intestinal brush-border membranes is mediated by the same carrier. Furthermore, there exists a Na+ gradient-driven L-lactate transport system in the rabbit intestinal brush-border membrane.